Photo Credit: Jessica Hill/AP
The all-time leading scorer in NCAA Division I history tied for the most points scored in the game with Connecticut’s DeWanna Bonner.
Clark had mixed success in her regular season debut Tuesday night, scoring 20 points but committing 10 turnovers as her Indiana Fever lost to the Connecticut Sun 92-71.
“Tonight the rookie joins Maya Moore and Edna Campbell as the only players in WNBA history to tally 20+ pts and 4+ 3PM in their debut,” the WNBA said about Clark in a post on X.
Clark went up against Alyssa Thomas, the 2023 league MVP runner-up and Connecticut Sun forward. The Sun’s four-time All-Star notched a triple-double Tuesday with 13 points, 13 assists, and 10 rebounds. The Suns had five players in double figures, with Bonner leading the way. Bonner tallied 20 points and had six rebounds.
After finding herself in foul trouble early, Clark spent much of the first quarter on the bench. Midway through the second quarter, Clark made a steal and took the ball down court for a transition lay-up to score her first career WNBA points. Her first three-point bucket came in the final minute before halftime.
Clark picked up her pace in the second half, but the Fever were overwhelmed by the Sun team, a semifinalist in last season’s WNBA playoffs.
Clark struggled with ball security against the Sun’s intense defensive pressure. Clark also added three assists and two steals against the Sun.
After the loss, Clark said she would’ve liked to have played better during her debut game, but that she’s eager to do so during future games this season.
The Fever will be in action again on Thursday in the team’s home opener against the New York Liberty at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.
Lewis Musonye
